Police continued to look for suspects Sunday after reports of gunshots in Lowertown and a stabbing incident earlier in the day.

At about 5:30 a.m., emergency services received numerous reports from witnesses of shots being fired and people running in the area of Nelson and Rideau streets, said Sgt. Chris McGuinness.

The reports followed an altercation between several people, the officer said, adding, however, that it did not appear the shots were aimed at a residence or business. No injuries were reported, nor was there any evidence of damage.

Police had three men in their 20s in custody by 8 a.m., but they were later released without charge.

During the initial investigation, police taped off the entrances of the Days Inn and Shoppers’ Drug Mart on Rideau Street. As well, they blocked the intersection of Rideau and Nelson streets while officers from the Guns and Gangs unit searched the area. Police dogs were also involved.

A police dog helps investigate a crime scene after gunshots were reportedly fired on Rideau Street near Nelson Street in Ottawa, March 8, 2015.

A police dog unit search for evidence along Rideau Street after reports of gun shots early Sunday morning.

Ottawa police Duty Insp. Mark Patterson said investigators were also looking into a possible link between the gunshots and a Sunday morning stabbing.

A man suffering from lacerations and other wounds requested treatment at the Ottawa Hospital Civic campus emergency room around 6 a.m.

Later Sunday, at about 3:30 p.m., police said that roads previously closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the ByWard Market and Lowertown during the initial investigation had been reopened. Major roads in the area had been opened by 9:30 a.m.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Ottawa Police Services guns and gangs unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5050.